The 49ers are where the Raiders were three years ago – drastically undermanned, in the midst of unrelenting losing, and with Fort Knox-like money under the salary cap. Obviously, the 10-2 Raiders have made the right moves in hiring coach Jack Del Rio, drafting players like Derek Carr and Amari Cooper, and acquiring players like …

After finishing his 15-year NFL career, Harbaugh began his coaching career with the Raiders as their quarterbacks coach from 2002-03. Beyond his familiarity with the organization, location makes Oakland a logical landing spot: Harbaugh has never left California in a 13-year coaching career that’s included stops with the University of San Diego (2004-06), Stanford (2007-10) and the 49ers. …

This afternoon, the 49ers addressed their thinned tight end corps by activating Garrett Celek from the physically-unable-to-perform list and promoting Asante Cleveland from the practice squad. They also placed Derek Carrier on a season-ending injured reserve because of a foot injury he sustained Sunday in a 17-13 win over Washington. Both Celek and Cleveland are on the active 46-man roster tonight. …

In last season’s NFC Championship Game loss at Seattle, 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman sustained two torn knee ligaments, guard Mike Iupati had a broken ankle, left tackle Joe Staley sustained a compound dislocation of his thumb and running back Frank Gore had a broken finger. …

Niners defensive coordinator Vic Fangio isn’t given to hyperbole, so it was notable when he offered a particularly glowing assessment of Seattle’s backfield today. Running back Marshawn Lynch? Fangio termed him perhaps the best running back in the NFL. Quarterback Russell Wilson? He likened him to one of the best running back in NFL history. …

Ten months later, the stage could be set for a similar plays Thursday night when the 49ers host the Seahawks, who allowed a season-high seven sacks in a 19-3 win against Arizona on Sunday. The Cardinals finished with 11 tackles for losses against Seattle’s patchwork offensive line and coach Bruce Arians thought their sack total could have been even higher. …

Before the 49ers visited the Saints earlier this month, they had allowed only six 100-yard rushers in their past 78 games dating to November 2009. During that stretch, only four different running backs had topped 100 yards – Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch did so three times – and none of those backs gained more than 118 yards. …

Niners right tackle Anthony Davis is still experiencing concussion symptoms after he was injured in a win over the Giants on Nov. 16 and his status for Thursday night’s game against Seattle is up in the air, Jim Harbaugh said today. …

After ending the previous week on the bench, Ahmad Brooks finished Sunday with the ball. On the final defensive play of the 49ers’ 17-13 win over Washington, the outside linebacker caught Robert Griffin’s fumble in mid-air after the quarterback was blindsided by defensive tackle Justin Smith. …